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Eighty-Six the Endo
Vitamin D: Are Your Blood Levels Affecting your Fertility?

Vitamin D: Are Your Blood Levels Affecting your Fertility?

Posted on August 9, 2018July 1, 2020, Last modified on July 1, 2020 by Melissa Velasco, BSN, RN, OCN

Low levels of Vitamin D can be affecting your ability to conceive. Learn more about how Vitamin D plays a role in a successful pregnancy.

Yoga: Stress and Pain Reliever for the Endo Warrior

Yoga: Stress and Pain Reliever for the Endo Warrior

Posted on August 5, 2018November 22, 2020, Last modified on November 22, 2020 by Melissa Velasco, BSN, RN, OCN

Yoga provides relief of stress and pain to the Endometriosis Warrior. Yoga allows us to stretch and strengthen the muscles within the pelvic floor.

My Endo Story, It’s about time!

My Endo Story, It’s about time!

Posted on July 20, 2018October 17, 2021, Last modified on October 17, 2021 by Melissa Velasco, BSN, RN, OCN

The journey to an Endometriosis diagnosis is physically and emotionally difficult. It’s about time that I share my Endo story.

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about me

I created Eighty-Six the Endo after being diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2017. I’m a Registered Nurse by day, and an Endometriosis Advocate… ALWAYS! Join me as I dive into all things related to Endo.

Disclaimer

The content within Eighty-Six the Endo is for informational purposes only and readers should not rely on the content as a substitution for professional medical advice. The content reflects my thoughts alone and in no way represent the thoughts of my employer or any organization I am affiliated with. See full disclaimer in Terms and Conditions

Affiliate Disclosure

This site contains affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you and I only recommend products that I believe will be valuable to other Endometriosis Warriors.
See full disclosure here.

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Endo Project Logo

I am proud to support the American End of Endo Project in their efforts to “remove barriers and renew hope” within the endometriosis community.

What Endo Book Am I Reading?

Finding Peace With A Devastating Disease: Reflections on Endometriosis
By Amy Corfeli
what am i reading?

  • eightysixtheendo

    If only general obgyns were humble enough to recog If only general obgyns were humble enough to recognize that they should refer to an expert excision specialist. 

And, if only excision was accessible to everyone. 

#endometriosis #endo #1in10  #excisionsurgeryisthegoldstandard #EndometriosisAwareness #endoaware #EightySixtheEndo
    So excited to share this wonderful news! The amazi So excited to share this wonderful news! The amazing founders of @efhou have launched a pilot program in collaboration with the Houston Independent School District... the largest school district in Texas and the 8th largest in the nation! I am so honored to partner with them for this. And I am so proud of all the hard work they have done to make this happen. Congrats @efhou!

#Repost @efhou with @let.repost 
• • • • • •
⭐️ Exciting News! Introducing Endo Edu! ⭐️⁠ ⁠ We're thrilled to announce the launch of the Endo Edu program, made possible by the generous grant from HISD Foundation. Together with HISD, Endo What?, Project Endo, Eighty-Six the Endo, and Burge & Board, we're empowering school nurses to recognize early signs of endometriosis in students. Let's break the cycle of delayed diagnosis and change lives! Join us in raising awareness and creating brighter futures. 💛⁠ ⁠ #EndoEdu #EndometriosisAwareness #BreakTheCycle #efhou⁠ #HISDFoundation #HISD #EndoWhat #ProjectEndo #EightySixtheEndo #BurgeandBoard ⁠⁠#EndometriosisAwarenessStartsHere ⁠ 🔗 Read our press release: https://www.efhou.org/_files/ugd/15d008_db9e7a73d59e4124bdedec9b675313d6.pdf⁠ ⁠ Link in bio.
    Here is my 2-year anniversary update.... Today ma Here is my 2-year anniversary update....

Today marks 2 years since my surgery with Dr Sinervo from the @centerforendocare. It was my 3rd surgery for endometriosis, my 2nd laporascopic excision, and it included a total hysterectomy for Adenomyosis and a VATS for potential thoracic endometriosis. 
Thankfully, no thoracic endo was found, but he did find a large adhesion attached to the omentum, which was likely the cause of my thoracic-like symptoms. 

This was the most difficult surgery to recovery from physically and mentally. Aside from that, I still have to manage chronic pain symptoms related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and fibromyalgia. 

As I look back today, I can not help but be thankful for the improved quality of life that I have. 

Some major wins since surgery:
- No more periods or debilitating cramps! 🥳
- I have only called into work 1 time in the past year for a pain flare (fibro). 
- I can tolerate a whole day of cleaning the house and feel the "normal" amount of fatigue and body aches. Then, wake up the next morning with little to no pain. 
- I can feel more confident about making future plans. 🥰
- completed pelvic floor physical therapy with great results!

Some really difficult trials since surgery: 
- major anxiety, panic attacks, and depression that stemmed from the accumulation of past medical trauma and grief. 
- the mental health challenges forcing me to leave my nursing career for a short period of time (but returned to find an incredible WFH oncology nurse role that is perfect for me🥳). 
- continuing to battle chronic pain (but with much less frequency and less debilitating intensity). 
- finding it difficult to continue my momentum as an endo advocate. This one really is hard to admit. In the past 2 years, I have noticed that I am triggered into anxiety and depression every time I try to get back into my role as an advocate and educator. Some days, I even find it difficult to be logged into my @eightysixtheendo account. It's not something I have fully processed, so that's about all I can share for now about that. 

All that say, and I've said this before, excision is the first step to remission. 💛
    Look who turned 1 today! Bailey's birthday photo s Look who turned 1 today! Bailey's birthday photo shoot was a success.😍
    This past weekend was such an inspiring and emotio This past weekend was such an inspiring and emotional weekend. A HUGE thanks to @efhou for their efforts in working with our local community to bring Houston a screening of #BelowTheBelt and light up city hall in yellow. 💛💛💛💛

These events, with the help of all those involved, were truly a success and inspiring. I'm so glad I was able to attend and see how the woman from @efhou have helped impact so many lives in the Greater Houston Area. So freaking proud! 🥹

#endometriosis #endo #endosupport #endometriosisawarenessmonth #endoawareness #endoaware #endowhat @bcm_obgyn @bcmhouston @endowhat @houston  @texaschildrens @kendrascott @houstonmayor @pavilionforwomen
    ***GIVEAWAY FOR 2 FREE TICKETS to the Houston, TX, ***GIVEAWAY FOR 2 FREE TICKETS to the Houston, TX, screening of Below the Belt next Saturday, 3/4/23****

Update: The winner has been chosen! @tareynfaye

I have 2 tickets to giveaway to someone who is in the Houston Area or willing to drive to Houston for this exciting screening of Below the Belt. Hosted by Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, and Endometriosis Foundation of Houston. 

This documentary by @endowhat is “a powerful documentary on women’s health and healthcare, told through the lens of endometriosis.” The screening will start with a video introduction from Director Shannon Cohen, and will be followed by a special panel discussion. 

I will be there with my family and some friends. I hope to see you there, whether you win the tickets or not. 

Giveaway rules:
-Like this post
-follow @eightysixtheendo, @efhou, @endowhat, @bcmhouston, and @bcm_obgyn
-comment below with the phrase, “I can be there!”
-extra entry will be added if you share this post on your story and tag me @eightysixtheendo (don’t forget the tag, so that I know).

Giveaway closes at 8 AM on Monday, 2/27/2023. Winner will be announced that evening. Good Luck!!
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